HOW CHAMPIONS DO IT

Researched, produced, and prepared by Brent S. Rushall, Ph.D., R.Psy.

LARSEN JENSEN AT 1470 m OF HIS WINNING 1500 M RACE AT THE 2004 USA OLYMPIC TRIALS AT LONG BEACH [WHY AMERICAN MALE DISTANCE SWIMMERS WILL NOT CATCH THE AUSTRALIANS]

Each Frame is .1 seconds apart. Larsen Jensen's time for the 1500 m race was 14:56.71, an American record.

This stroke analysis includes a moving sequence in real time, a moving sequence where each frame is displayed for .5 of a second, and still frames.

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At the end of the following narrative, each frame is illustrated in detail in a sequential collage.

Notable Features

There is not much good that can be said about the technique of this stroke. It contravenes appropriate biomechanical laws, physical laws, and principles involved in effective crawl stroke swimming. Despite all the stroke deficiencies, the swimmer did set a new American record in this event. That is testimony to the superior talent and physical abilities of Larsen Jensen. One is set to wondering just how good this athlete would be if he swam more efficiently and effectively.

A summary of Larsen Jensen's stroke weaknesses is as follows.

  1. the shoulders do not roll to a position where the shoulder muscles could contribute fully to propulsive force development through full abduction and adduction,
  2. the first part of the propulsive arm movement is lateral and involves abduction, instead of medial rotation and elbow flexion;
  3. the length backward of the propulsive phase is shortened and hurried;
  4. the inactive forward-extended arm increases above normal surface drag resistance because of the length of time in the extended position;
  5. lateral arm movements involved in a classic S-shaped stroke path reduce the amount of backward/horizontal propulsion that can be developed; and
  6. length of the overall underwater effective pull is short because of slow initial repositioning of the forearm/hand propelling surface and the sudden and early termination of backward propulsion.

Unfortunately, little that is positive can be learned from this analysis. It does show the inefficiencies of a catch-up kick-dominated stroke. The performance potential of this extraordinary athlete is not exploited by this style of swimming. The $1M reward offered by US Swimming to the first American male to break the 1500-m world record is safe.

References

  1. D'Acquisto, L. J., & Berry, J. E. (2003). Relationship between estimated propelling efficiency, peak aerobic power, and swimming performance in trained male swimmers. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 34(5), Supplement abstract 193 .
  2. Millet, G. P., Chollet, D., Chalies, S., & Chatard, J. C. (2002). Coordination in front crawl in elite triathletes and elite swimmers. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 23, 99-104.

Larsen Jensen

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